Improvement in knee-protectors



M- C. KNEE-PROTECTORS.

No. 194,871. Satented Sept. 4,1877.

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UNITED STATES MARY (J. HIESTER, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

IMPROVEMENT IN KNEE-PROTECTORS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 194,871, datedSeptember 4, 1877 application filed May 17, 1877.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, MARY O. HIESTER, ofPhiladelphia,Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement inKnee-Protectors, of which the following is a specification:

The object of my invention is to make a protector to be applied to theknee of the child for the preservation of the stocking at that point.

In the drawings, Figures 1 and 2 are side views of the protector, andFig. 3 a view showing'a mode of constructing the same.

In the present instance, the protector con sists of three main pieces,namely, the elastic web or gore A, and the two strips B and D, Figs. 3,of silk, woolen, or other suitable fabno.

The adjoining ends of the strips B and D are rounded or otherwise soformed that when stitched together the two strips will present a cavityfor the knee-cap.

The-elastic web is wider at the upper than at the lower end, so thatwhen the edge at of the web is stitched to the edge 3 of the fabricthere will be a tubular protector larger in diameter at the linem m,where it has to embrace the leg above the knee, than at the line on n,where it must embrace the leg below the knee.

The increased width of the elastic web at and near the upper end of theprotector also afi'ords increased elasticity at the point where it ismost needed, for the upper end of the protector will be subjected togreater distension, when the leg is moved in the actot' kneeling, (seeFig. 2,) than the lower portion of the protector.

The web must be of sufficient elasticity throughout to permit theprotector to be easily drawn over the foot and calf of the leg, and

should have the property of contracting sufficiently to snugly embracethe leg above and below the knee, for the retention of the protector inits proper position is dependent partly on its clinging to the leg atthese points, and partly on the cavity for the kneecap.

It is not essential in carrying out my invention that the protectorshould be composed of the precise pieces shown in Fig. 3. It may, forinstance, consist of one piece of felt, the cavity for the knee beingformed during the process of felting, or it may be made of substantialknitted fabric, with a knee-cavity made during the operation ofknitting, or the front portion of the protector may be made of leatherwith cavity formed by embossing, the rear portion being either ofleather or any suitable fabric; but in all cases the protector must bemade to contract by means of the elastic gore,-and cling to the legabove and below the knee, and must have a cavity for the reception ofthe knee-cap.

It will be evident that the protector may be made attractive inappearance by different systems of ornamentation.

I claim as my invention A kneeprotector consisting, mainly, of a tube ofnon-elastic material with an elastic gore, A, and made to embrace theleg above and below the knee, and having a cavity adapted to theknee-cap, all substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses.

MARY O. HIESTER.

